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☆ Oil prices rise on U.S. inventories drawdown expectations, CPI focus
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. crude oil inventories fell 3.104 million barrels in the week ended May 10, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. Gasoline inventories fell by 1.269 million barrels and distillates rose by 673,000 barrels. "Expectations of another drawdown in U.S. oil inventories should support oil prices," ANZ Research said in a note. Oil prices also found support from a softer U.S. dollar and stimulus measures from China, said independent market analyst Tina Teng, with a weaker greenback making dollar-denominated oil cheaper for investors holding other currencies. "The U.S. CPI and China's economic data are key to driving oil prices for the rest of the week," she added.

Persons: David Knox, Petra Nova, Brent, Tina Teng, Teng Organizations: NGR Energy, JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corporation, WA Parish, U.S, . West Texas, American Petroleum Institute, ANZ Research, Federal, CPI Locations: NGR, Bend County, Petra, WA, China, Fort McMurray

☆ Oil falls for a third day as U.S. crude inventories swell
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Oil prices fell for a third day on Wednesday on rising crude inventories and production in the U.S., the world's biggest oil consumer, along with increasing hopes of a ceasefire agreement in the Middle East. Brent crude futures for July fell 47 cents, or 0.5%, at $85.86 a barrel by 0005 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for June declined 53 cents, or 0.6%, to $81.40 per barrel. U.S. crude oil inventories swelled last week by 4.906 million barrels, while gasoline and distillate stockpiles fell, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. Gasoline inventories fell by 1.483 million barrels, and distillates fell by 2.187 million barrels.

Persons: distillates Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, American Petroleum Institute, Energy Information Administration, Organization of, Petroleum, Reuters Locations: U.S, Israel, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria

☆ Oil extends fall as China's pledge to transform economy fails to impress
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Working pumpjacks are seen at the Montebello Oil Field in Montebello, California, on Sept. 18, 2023. Oil prices fell for a second day on Tuesday as pledges by China, the world's biggest crude importer, to transform its economy amid stuttering growth since the COVID pandemic failed to impress investors concerned about slower consumption. Brent futures for May fell 3 cents to $82.77 a barrel by 0159 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 11 cents, to $78.63. The physical oil market has started to tighten, rising spot prices show, according to a note from ANZ analysts, owing in part to supply disruptions. U.S. crude oil inventories are expected to have increased last week, according to a preliminary Reuters poll on Monday, while distillates and gasoline stockpiles were forecast lower.

Persons: Brent, WTI Organizations: Montebello Oil, U.S, West Texas, National People's, of, Petroleum, ANZ, Reuters Locations: Montebello, Montebello , California, China, Israel, Gaza, OPEC

☆ Oil edges up as geopolitical concerns support prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices rose in early trade on Tuesday as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to fuel supply concerns. "If U.S.-Iran tensions escalate, particularly through a direct confrontation, the risk rises that Iran's oil supply is adversely impacted. Iran exported 1.2-1.6 million barrels per day of crude oil through most of 2023, Dhar added, representing 1-1.5% of global oil supply. The key concern is Iran threatening a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which sees the transit of 15-20% of global oil supply," he added. Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil and distillates inventories were expected to have fallen last week while gasoline stocks were seen rising, a Reuters poll showed.

Persons: Brent, Vivek Dhar, Dhar Organizations: . West Texas, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, U.S, ANZ, Traders, Federal, Market, American Petroleum Institute, Energy Information Administration, U.S . Department of Energy Locations: Hong Kong, China, Washington, Jordan, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Hormuz, Red, U.S

☆ Oil prices fall 1% after surprise US storage build
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices fell nearly a dollar a barrel on Wednesday after a surprise jump in U.S. crude stockpiles raised worries about demand in the largest oil market. Global benchmark Brent crude oil futures settled 79 cents, or 1%, to $76.80 a barrel. Early in the session, both contracts had risen by more than a dollar before the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a surprise build in crude oil stockpiles and larger-than-expected jumps in storage of gasoline and distillates. Gasoline stocks rose by 8 million barrels while distillate stocks jumped by 6.5 million barrels, the EIA reported. Europe's weak economic outlook also added to oil demand concerns.

Persons: Rob Haworth, Haworth, Luis de Guindos, majeure Organizations: U.S . West Texas, Brent, U.S . Energy Information Administration, U.S, Bank Asset Management, EIA, European Central Bank, National Oil Corporation Locations: Nolan , Texas, U.S, Israel

☆ Here’s how activist Elliott could build shareholder value amicably at Phillips 66
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Kenneth Squire | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Business: Phillips 66 is an energy manufacturing and logistics company. Percentage Ownership: n/a Average Cost: n/a Activist Commentary: Elliott is a very successful and astute activist investor. On Wednesday, Elliott sent a letter to Phillips 66, announcing that it has taken a $1 billion stake and is seeking up to two board seats. While we do not generalize like that, it is hard to imagine a more amicable and constructive activist campaign than what Elliott is proposing at Phillips 66. When implemented, Phillips 66 saw costs increase relative to peers, burning shareholders' confidence in the management team's ability to achieve its goals.

Persons: Phillips, Elliott, Mark Lashier, Ken Squire Organizations: Phillips, Chevron Phillips Chemical, Valero Energy, Marathon Petroleum, Valero, 13D Locations: Chevron, U.S, Europe, COOs

☆ Oil retreats on caution ahead of OPEC+ meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Florence Tan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Brent crude futures fell 51 cents, or 0.6%, to $81.81 a barrel by 0746 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $77.32 a barrel, down 51 cents, or 0.7%. Both contracts climbed about 2% on Monday after three OPEC+ sources told Reuters that the group, made up of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, was set to consider whether to make additional oil supply cuts when it meets on Nov. 26. "Market participants have started to price in an extension of the current quantum oil supply cut into 2024 or even deeper cuts in the upcoming OPEC+ meeting," he added. OPEC+ is likely to extend or even deepen oil supply cuts into next year, eight analysts have predicted. Weekly stockpile reports from the American Petroleum Institute and the Energy Information Administration are due later on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

Persons: Kelvin Wong, Helima Croft, Florence Tan, Yuka Obayashi, Sonali Paul, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: cnsphoto, REUTERS, Walmart Inc, SINGAPORE, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Reuters, Organization of, Petroleum, RBC Capital, Traders, Walmart, American Petroleum Institute, Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China, Singapore, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, U.S, Tokyo

"Going forward, the market will focus on U.S. and Chinese economic indicators and U.S. crude oil inventory levels to assess global demand trend," Ueno said, adding that investors will also consider a weakening U.S. dollar, which will provide support for oil prices. The oil market has dropped almost 20% since late September as crude output in the U.S., the world's top producer, held at record highs, while the market was concerned about demand growth, especially from China, the No. U.S. crude and gasoline stockpiles likely rose last week, while distillates inventories were seen dropping, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday. A weekly report from the American Petroleum Institute is due later on Tuesday, and from the Energy Information Administration is due on Wednesday. On the supply side, the OPEC+ are likely to extend or even deepen oil supply cuts into next year, eight analysts have predicted.

Persons: Brent, Tsuyoshi Ueno, Ueno, Goldman Sachs, Yuka Obayashi, Stephen Coates Organizations: cnsphoto, REUTERS, Walmart Inc, OPEC, West Texas, Reuters, Organization of, Petroleum, NLI Research, Traders, Walmart, American Petroleum Institute, Energy, Administration, Thomson Locations: Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China, Russia, U.S, OPEC, timespreads

Gasoline prices are displayed at an Exxon gas station behind American flag in Edgewater, New Jersey, U.S., June 14, 2022. By September and October, gasoline stocks were increasing rather than falling as is normal at this point in the year. Gasoline margins fell by three-fourths to an average of less than $10 per barrel in October, among the lowest for a decade. In the meantime, the lower intake added to crude inventories and accelerated the pullback in crude prices and calendar spreads. Related columns:- U.S. oil prices slide as stocks accumulate at Cushing (November 16, 2023)- Oil traders turn bearish, daring OPEC⁺ to cut again (November 14, 2023)- Oil prices slump as fundamentals reassert themselves (November 9, 2023)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: Mike Segar, Cushing, John Kemp, David Evans Organizations: Exxon, REUTERS, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Edgewater , New Jersey, U.S, Cushing

Hedge funds and other money managers sold the equivalent of 57 million barrels in the six most important futures and options contracts over the seven days ending on Nov. 7. Fund managers have been sellers in five of the most recent six weeks reducing their combined position by a total of 331 million barrels since Sept. 19. The combined position was reduced to just 349 million barrels (13th percentile for all weeks since 2013) from a high of 680 million barrels (64th percentile) six weeks earlier. Bearish short positions in the premier NYMEX WTI contract were boosted to 96 million barrels on Nov. 7 from just 20 million at the start of October. Related columns:- Oil prices slump as fundamentals reassert themselves (November 9, 2023)- Investors dump crude oil and distillates as Mideast risk recedes (November 6, 2023)- Crude oil sees fresh short sales as interest rates rise (October 30, 2023)- Investors dumped oil among fastest rates in last decade (October 16, 2023)- Oil investors turn cautious away from Cushing squeeze (October 2, 2023)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: Henry Romero, Brent, Cushing, John Kemp, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, OPEC, ICE, U.S, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Gulf of Mexico, Veracruz, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Chartbook, WTI, NYMEX, Cushing, Oklahoma, Russia

The wave of sales has reversed much of the 398 million barrels purchased between the end of June and the middle of September. WTI SQUEEZE ENDSIn the seven days ending on October 31, selling was led by crude (-78 million barrels), especially NYMEX and ICE WTI (-62 million barrels), with a smaller contribution from Brent (-16 million). The remaining position (153 million barrels) was the lowest for 16 weeks since July 11 (128 million barrels). Crude inventories around the NYMEX delivery point at Cushing in Oklahoma depleted to just 22 million barrels at the end of September from 43 million barrels at the end of June. But most of the sales have come in European gas oil (-49 million barrels) rather than U.S. diesel (-6 million) reflecting the poor outlook for the European economy.

Persons: Angus Mordant, Cushing, John Kemp Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, ICE, diesel, Funds, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Loving County , Texas, U.S, North America, Europe, China, Iran, Israel, Cushing, Oklahoma, WTI, NYMEX

Strikes at car and truck plants are likely to have a widespread impact on manufacturing activity given their large supply chains. Energy consumption by industrial users steadied over the third quarter, which was consistent with the worst of the manufacturing downturn being over. The stabilisation of both diesel and industrial electricity sales in the summer was consistent with manufacturing activity steadying ahead of a renewed expansion. Because the industrial downturn has been long but shallow, distillate inventories remain well below the long-term seasonal average. Return to expansion would likely cause diesel stocks to deplete rapidly and put upward pressure on industrial prices quickly.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, John Kemp, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Institute, Supply, Federal Reserve, Global, U.S, Thomson, Reuters Locations: IceStone, New York City , New York, U.S, Chartbook

A pump jack drills oil crude from the Yates Oilfield in West Texas’s Permian Basin, near Iraan, Texas, U.S., March 17, 2023. Gasoline stocks (USOILG=ECI) rose by about 160,000 barrels in the week to 223.5 million barrels, the EIA said, compared with expectations for a 900,000-barrel drop. "It will reverse the gasoline crack," Yawger said, referring to the profit oil refiners can make producing gasoline from crude. U.S. crude futures last traded at just over $83 per barrel, while Brent crude futures was around $87.50 a barrel. Crude stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub (USOICC=ECI) rose by 213,000 barrels in the last week, EIA said.

Persons: Bing Guan, Bob Yawger, Yawger, Stephanie Kelly, Laura Sanicola, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Energy Information Administration, EIA, Mizuho, Brent, Cushing, Net, Thomson Locations: West, Iraan , Texas, U.S, Oklahoma

REUTERS/Bing Guan/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - U.S. oil refiners have cranked up output of diesel, heating oil and jet fuel for winter but are struggling to turn a profit because gasoline margins have fallen over 80% since the summer driving season ended. Refiners, which typically produce more distillates such as diesel and heating oil in autumn, are trying to rebuild inventories of these fuels that are near seasonal record lows. While fuel makers focus on maximizing distillate output, they inevitably produce gasoline as well. Meanwhile, Russia's short-lived diesel export ban, along with less refinery capacity and Western sanctions on Russian diesel, have hit diesel inventories and tightened supplies. Shortages have kept the U.S. heating oil crack at near $44 a barrel, nearly twice the seasonal average.

Persons: Bing Guan, fuelmakers, RIN, Laura Sanicola, Stephanie Kelly, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Phillips, Los, Los Angeles Refinery, Rights, Diesel, AAA, U.S ., U.S . Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles, Carson , California, U.S, Singapore, U.S . East

The decline has been driven by weakness in producing fuels such as gasoline and naphtha, even as the margin on middle distillates has performed strongly. The trend for refining in Asia is increasingly characterised by strong margins for middle distillates, which are enough to offset weakness in gasoline and even losses for naphtha. Asia's total exports were 7.4 million metric tons in September, equivalent to about 1.85 million bpd, according to data from LSEG. Data from commodity analysts Kpler is also far from convincing, with just 660,000 metric tons of diesel shipments from China so far in October. Effectively, Asia's refiners are happy to suffer weak margins on fuels such as gasoline and naphtha because the profits on middle distillates are so high.

Persons: it's, refiners, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, China, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Kolkata, India, Rights LAUNCESTON, Australia, Asia, Singapore, Dubai, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, China, Beijing

Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas U.S. August 22, 2018. As a result, the combined position was reduced to 483 million barrels (30th percentile for all weeks since 2013) down from 680 million barrels (64th percentile) on Sept. 19. Chartbook: Oil and gas positionsThe most recent week saw massive sales across the board, including Brent (-65 million barrels) and NYMEX and ICE WTI (-40 million), U.S. gasoline (-15 million), European gas oil (-13 million) and U.S. diesel (-7 million). Most of the adjustment came from liquidation of former bullish long positions (-122 million barrels) rather than initiation of new bearish short ones (+18 million). Net positions in Brent (20th percentile), U.S. gasoline (25th percentile) and European gas oil (28th percentile) were all well below their long-term averages.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Brent, Cushing, John Kemp Organizations: Midland , Texas U.S, REUTERS, OPEC, Investors, ICE Futures, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Funds, ICE, U.S . diesel, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Midland , Texas, U.S, NYMEX, Brent , U.S, Brent

European distillate inventories were 25 million barrels (-6% or -0.84 standard deviations) below the seasonal average at the end of September. Singapore distillate stocks averaged 3 million barrels (-23% or 1.30 standard deviations) below the seasonal average in September. Chartbook: Global distillate inventories and pricesPortfolio investors have been reducing their exposure to middle distillates since late August, which has likely anticipated, accelerated and amplified the retreat in prices and margins. But inventories are already tight; any expansion will cause them to deplete further, rapidly putting renewed upward pressure on prices. Related columns:- U.S. manufacturing rebound will stretch diesel supplies (October 5, 2023)- Funds grow bullish on crude, cautious on distillates (September 18, 2023)- Global diesel shortage boosts prices (September 13, 2023)- U.S. diesel prices surge anticipating a soft landing (August 11, 2023)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: Eric Gaillard, John Kemp, Jane Merriman Organizations: REUTERS, ICE Futures, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Global, U.S, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Nice, France, Singapore, New York, United States, U.S, Europe, China

☆ Oil falls as US rate hike expectations offset tight supply outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Trixie Sher Li Yap | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

An aerial view shows oil tanks of Transneft oil pipeline operator at the crude oil terminal Kozmino on the shore of Nakhodka Bay near the port city of Nakhodka, Russia June 13, 2022. REUTERS/Tatiana Meel/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 21 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell in early Asian trade on Thursday, after posting the largest fall in a month in the previous session, as U.S. interest rate hike expectations offset the impact of drawdowns in U.S. crude stockpiles. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) fell 70 cents, or 0.78%, to $88.96, the lowest since Sept. 14. The hawkish stance also led to the U.S. dollar surging to its highest since early March, placing downside pressure on oil prices. "This tightness, along with strong refinery margins (largely a result of tightness in middle distillates) suggests that oil prices are likely to see further strength in the short term," he said.

Persons: Tatiana Meel, Brent, refiners, Warren Patterson, Laura Sanicola, Trixie Yap, Sonali Paul Organizations: . West Texas, ING, U.S . Federal Reserve, Open Market, U.S, Energy, U.S . Energy Information Administration, American Petroleum Institute, ANZ, Cushing, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: Nakhodka, Russia, Saudi Arabia

☆ Oil falls as rate hike expectations offset US stock draw
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Trixie Sher Li Yap | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

An aerial view shows oil tanks of Transneft oil pipeline operator at the crude oil terminal Kozmino on the shore of Nakhodka Bay near the port city of Nakhodka, Russia June 13, 2022. REUTERS/Tatiana Meel/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 21 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell in early Asian trade on Thursday, after posting the largest fall in a month in the previous session, as U.S. interest rate hike expectations offset the impact of drawdowns in U.S. crude stockpiles. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) fell 71 cents, or 0.79%, to $88.95, the lowest since Sept. 14. The hawkish stance also led to the U.S. dollar surging to its highest since early March, placing downside pressure on oil prices. "This tightness, along with strong refinery margins (largely a result of tightness in middle distillates) suggests that oil prices are likely to see further strength in the short term," he said.

Persons: Tatiana Meel, Brent, refiners, Warren Patterson, Laura Sanicola, Sonali Paul Organizations: . West Texas, ING, U.S . Federal Reserve, Open Market, U.S, Energy, U.S . Energy Information Administration, American Petroleum Institute, ANZ, Cushing, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: Nakhodka, Russia, Saudi Arabia

Hedge funds and other money managers purchased the equivalent of 41 million barrels in the six most important petroleum futures and options contracts over the seven days ending on Sept. 12. The net position in all products had fallen to 155 million barrels (71st percentile) on Sept. 12 down from 177 million (80th percentile) on Aug. 15. Short positions in NYMEX WTI slumped to just 21 million barrels on Sept. 12, the lowest for more than a year since June 2022. U.S. NATURAL GASInvestors remain ambivalent about the outlook for U.S. gas prices – torn between depleting inventories and the prospect of a warmer-than-average winter driven by a strong El Niño. The prospect of reduced consumption and slower export growth is weighing on gas prices and has kept them range bound for the last three months.

Persons: Richard Carson, bullishness, NYMEX WTI, Investors, John Kemp, David Evans Organizations: Department of Energy, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, REUTERS, ICE, U.S . diesel, Fund, distillates, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Freeport , Texas, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Europe, China, distillates, Saudi, Cushing, Oklahoma, NYMEX, distillates ., East Asia, North America, Pacific

A diesel fuel nozzle is seen attached to a car at a Shell petrol station in Berlin, Germany October 22, 2018. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/ Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Global distillate fuel oil inventories remain much lower than normal for the time of year which is putting strong upward pressure on fuel prices. Initially, the upward pressure on distillate refining margins was masked by downward pressure on the underlying prices for crude oil. Since July, however, both crude prices and distillate refining margins have been rising, causing the total price of fuel to surge. Related columns:- U.S. diesel prices surge anticipating a soft landing (August 11, 2023)- Depleted U.S. diesel stocks attract hedge funds (July 20, 2023)- Global distillate stocks low despite industrial slowdown (June 13, 2023)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: Fabrizio Bensch, John Kemp, Alexander Smith Organizations: Shell, REUTERS, OPEC ⁺, U.S, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Berlin, Germany, Singapore, New York, Saudi Arabia, Europe, North America, Russia, Ukraine, U.S, China

Crude oil storage tanks are seen in an aerial photograph at the Cushing oil hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, U.S. April 21, 2020. Crude inventories (USOILC=ECI) rose by 4 million barrels in the week to Sept. 8 to 420.6 million barrels, more than double analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.9 million-barrel drop. Crude production rose 100,000 bpd to 12.9 million bpd, a peak not seen since March 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic crushed demand and production. ET (1449 GMT), while U.S. crude rose 41 cents, or 0.5%, to $89.26. Gasoline stocks (USOILG=ECI) rose 5.6 million barrels - the most since July 2022 - to 220.3 million barrels, the EIA said, far exceeding expectations for a 200,000-barrel build.Distillate stockpiles (USOILD=ECI), which include diesel and heating oil, rose by 3.9 million barrels to 122.5 million barrels, triple the forecast for a 1.3 million-barrel build.

Persons: Matt Smith, Smith, Arathy Somasekhar, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Drone, Rights, Energy Information Administration, Cushing, Net, Brent, EIA, Thomson Locations: Cushing , Oklahoma, U.S, Oklahoma, Houston

A general view of a crude oil importing port in Qingdao, Shandong province, November 9, 2008. Many of the newer, complex refineries in Asia prefer medium sour crude as it offers a higher yield of middle distillates such as diesel and jet fuel. ALTERED FLOWSThe higher prices for medium crude grades is impacting the ways in which crude is flowing around the world. China's imports from Brazil are expected to reach 29.07 million barrels in September, which would be the highest in three years, according to Kpler. While Saudi Arabia may have been successful in boosting oil prices, it is also disrupting the markets and altering physical crude flows.

Persons: Brent, China doesn't, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Moscow, Kpler, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Qingdao, Shandong province, LAUNCESTON, Australia, Asia, Saudi Arabia, OPEC, Russia, East, Kuwait, Brent, Dubai, Ukraine, India, Iraq, China, Iran, Islamic Republic, United States, Brazil

Distillate inventories, which include diesel and heating oil, were by late August about 15% below the five-year average for this time of year, according to the Energy Information Administration. "We are living barrel to barrel and there is just no room for errors in the system," Price Futures Group analyst Phil Flynn said. Refiners have failed to build sizable stocks ahead of the seasonal surge in demand due to tight supplies of medium and heavy crude oil grades that are distillate-rich. Seasonal overhauls could take out around 2 million bpd of the country's 18.1 million bpd refining capacity, he said. "Even with soft demand, diesel inventories are stubbornly low, and cracks have rallied in search of supply or demand-side relief before winter," the analysts said.

Persons: Bing Guan, Phil Flynn, Refiners, Bjarne Schieldrop, SEB, Robert Yawger, Shariq Khan, Laura Sanicola, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Angeles Refinery, California Air Resources Board, Energy Information Administration, Futures, Organization Petroleum Exporting, Saudi, Bank of America, Thomson Locations: Angeles, California, Carson , California, U.S, Europe, OPEC, Ukraine, Garyville , Louisiana

Hedge funds and other money managers purchased the equivalent of 10 million barrels of futures and options on U.S. diesel and European gas oil over the seven days ending Aug. 8. In the premier NYMEX WTI contract, short positions had been reduced by 91 million barrels or two-thirds since June 27. The total position has risen to a net long of 707 billion cubic feet (47th percentile for all weeks since 2010) up from a net short of 1,061 billion cubic feet (7th percentile) at the end of January. But the surplus had narrowed slowly but progressively from 299 billion cubic feet (+12% or +0.81 standard deviations) on June 30. Related columns:- U.S. diesel prices surge anticipating a soft landing (Aug. 11, 2023)- Crude oil and fuels draw funds as sentiment shifts (Aug. 7, 2023)- Short-covering by hedge funds lifted oil prices (Aug. 1, 2023)- Depleted U.S. diesel stocks attract hedge funds (July 20, 2023)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: Guan, Brent, John Kemp, Jan Harvey Organizations: Phillips, Los, Los Angeles Refinery, Funds, ICE, U.S, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Los Angeles, Carson , California, U.S

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